Planter



Jan. 4, 1927.

- 1,613,542 J. M. STEWARD PLANTER Filed Ap'ril 30. 1926 2Sheets-Sheet l M1.

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NWI UU Hinwil @n n I i ffii f L Il [1J 7g -Illi M A RNEY' n 1,613,542 Jam 4 1927' J. M. sTEwARD PLANTER Filed April so, 192e 2 Sheets-Sheet 5% E ATTORNEY:

Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

unirse STATES JOHN M. STEWARD, OF SALEM, OREGON.

i PLANTER.

Application ed April 30,

This invention relates to an agricultural machine, of the planter type, and is designed primarily for the planting of peppermint roots, but it is to be understood that a planter, in accordance with this invention can be employed for any purposes for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a new and improved planter for eiciently and expeditiously planting peppermint roots at a material saving in timel and cost of labor with respect to the prese-nt methods or means now employed for such purpose.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a planter for the purpose referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient and convenient in its use` readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

1With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall wit-hin the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

ln the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan'view of a planter in accordance with this invention.;

Figure 2 .is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 1. Figure i is a section on line 4--4, Figure 2. i

A planter, in accordance with this invention, can be employed to plant simultaneously a plurality of rows of roots, and as shown is constructed for the planting of two rows of roots, but it is to be understood that it can be used for planting a.V single row of roots, or for simultaneously planting two or more rows oifroots. Traction for the planter' can be provided by a tractor or anyv other suitable means. 1 j

The planter includes a platform which is disposed transversely with respect to the row or rows of roots planted, or transversely disputed. with the line et draf i Aalso from` the section 3.

1926. serial No. 105,860.

The platform, which may be termed a carrier for a body of roots to be planted, consists of a central section l and a pair of end sections 2, The sections of the platform are arranged in opposed relation,pbut the section l is spaced from the section 2 and The forward ends of the sections of the platform are secured together by a. bar 4c, and the rear ends of the sections of the platform are secured together by a bar. The baise and 5 extend from one end to the other end of the platform. The section 2, aswell as the section 3, has secured thereto as well as projecting upwardly therefrom, wallforining members .6, 7 and The wall-forming members 6 are secured to the outer sidesof the sections 2 and 3 and are disposed at an inclination with respect thereto. The inclination being outward, the wall-forming members 7 and S are secured to the ends of the sections 2 and 3 and are vertically disposed. The length of the wall-forming members 7 and 7 are less than the widthY of the sections 2, 3. The wall-forming members secured to the sections 2 are oppositely disposed with respect to the wall-forming members secured to the section 3. Secured to the upper face `of the sections 2 and 3 are beveled deflecting bars 9, 10 and 1l. Said bars are of less height than the height of the wall-forming membersand are positioned against the innerface, at the lower portions of said wallforming members. lThe bars 9 are secured to the wall-forming member G, the bars 10 to the wall-forming members 8 and the bars l1 to the wall-forming members 7. The wall-formingmembers and hars carried by the section 2 or 3 provides a bin for a body of roots. The bins are oppositely disposed with respect to each Aother and each bin is of less width than the width of .its respective section. The sections 2 and 3 forni the bottoms of the bins and these latter have open inner sides. Section l can alsobe used to carry roots. The bins can be extended to` store roots for supply purposes.Y

Secured to the upper face of the section 2 `at the inner side thereof is a lengthwise ner side of the section 3 and 'extending lengthwise therect is e raetaretener member liti lside edges of the section l.

The root retainer members extend from the har Lt Yto the bar 5. The root retainer member 12 associates with the root retainer- Vand tlfeee hitter will presently be referred to. The conveyor devices are positioned in the spaces formed between the sections of the platform and extend from the front to the rear of the latter.

The platform or carrier is mounted upon a supportingv frame consisting of a pair of vertically disposed `Ushaped sections 1G, 17 which are secured at their upper ends to the seclionsf;y and 3 ofthe platform and at their lower ends to the aille 18. rlhe'scctions 16 and 17 are connected together, at the front thereof, by a brace `member 1i) which seats on the ybeam 2t) and is coupled therewith by a hook-member 21. The tongue 20 is connected at its rearto the aXle'lS and has associated therewith a pair of oppositely extending;N lbrace rods22 secures attheir forward ends to the sides of the tongue El) and at ends to the aille 18. "Revolubly mounted on the axle at each end thereof isa traction wheel 23 and secured tothe inner side of the Vhub and one ofthe wheels 23 is asprocket wheel 24 which is bodily carried with'that traction wheel to whicliit is attached. The sprocket wheel 2l drives a transmission belt 25 of the link type. The Vhelt 25 projects upwardly Vfrom the sprocket wheelQLl an inclination and Yfurther extends rearwardly with respect to the axle `18. rflic lower portion ofthe chain 25, that is to say thelower side thereof, travels over an anti-friction vroller 2li' supported by the sections 1G and 1T of the frame which supports the platform or carrier. The chain 25 projects rearwardlj,Y withlrespect to thesupportcd frame forthe platform or carrier.

`lecured to the lower face of the section 2 of the platform and flush \\'ith'tlie'ifnner side thereof is a lengthwise extendingbar 2?. Secured to the lower face ofthe section 1l of the platforni isa pair of lentliwise extending hars28, 29 and which are'fluslifwith the Secured to the lower face ofthe scction'lof the platform and flush with the inner edgesthereof is a lengthwise extendino' bar 30. rlhe vbars '27, es, esami so @nenti to thercar end ofthe sections'of'the `)latform. ifi' .pair of spacedfblocls are securedto the lower face ot the ,section 2 ofthe platform and which register with the outer side edges of said sect-ion. A pairo'f spaced blocks i their rear vprovided lat froinftlie forward end are secured to the lower face of the section 23 of the platform and which register with'the outer side edge ot said section.

The blocks secured to the section 2 are indicated at 31 and the blocks secured to the section 3 are indicated at 82. Straps or brackets 38 are secured to the wall-forinine` members (i and to said blo`4 s' for the purpose of securinf said wall-forming members with the sections 2 and l of the platform, as well as for reinforcing or bracing the sahL wall-foriiiing members.

Operating' in the space formed between the sections 1 ain of the platform is a con'if'eyor device referred to generally by tliereference character 3l and o ieratinfi' in the snare fori'iied between the sections l and 8 of the platform a conveyor device referred gcnerally by the ret'erence character 35. 'lhe 'coiirejprir devices extend from the front 'lo the rear of the platform, but are spaced from the bars Ll and 5. Each conveyor 'lc- `rice consists of an endless flexible belt 823 of appropriate width and which has secured to its outer face a series of spaced transver extending slats Bil', forming in conne with the lrelt a series of pockets 35, for if reception of the peppermintroots. Each conveyor device further includes a pair of pulleys 3G, 3T over which'the belt 33 travels and the pulley provides means for tightening thebelt Secured to and depending from the forwrd end ofthe section 2 as well as the `section 3, of the platform or carrier, is a bearing` element 88, and mounted in said clement is a shaft 39 which is common lo `the vpulleys 86 of the vpair of conveying devices. `Preferably the bearing,` ele- `ments :ire securedfto the bers 2.7'and 8l Secured to the bar and depending' therefrom is a bearingelenient i-0f ASecured to the bar 3() and depending'therefrom a bearing` element l'i. Secured to the bar lll and dependino' therefrom is a hanger s lower end with a bearing element Secured to thesection' of the platformY and depending therefrom a 'hearing' element 44. Secured to the section 3 and depending;` therefrom is a hanger l5 'provided at' its loweiend with a bearing element fl-(. The pulleys 37 of the conveying devi-es are carried by a shalt l?. which .is mounted inthe bearing' eleniei'its llt `ll and. 4liand cari-es a pinion 4:8 hctween the 46 is a power transmit-ting shaft 50 provided with a gear 51 which forms the driving element for the'pinon 48. The shaft 50 is furthermore provided with a cog pinion 52 which is engaged and operated by the belt 25. From the foregoing construction it is obvious when the planter is pulled forwardly, it will provide for the revolving of the gear 24, which in turn will operate the belt 25, and the latter meshing` with the pinion 52 will provide for the operation of the shaft and the gear 51, and the latter meshing with the pinion 48 will cause the operation of the shaft 47, which in turn will provide for the drive of the conveyor devices. The upper length of the belt of each conveyor device will travel in a direction from front to rear of the platform or carrier and the lower length of the belts of the conveyor devices will move in a forward direction that is from rear to frontvof the platform or carrier.

Secured to t-he bars 27 and 28 rearwardly of each pulley 37, is a depending conducting chute 53 for receiving the roots and depositing them into a furrow opener. rllhe chutes have their upper ends enlarged and arranged in a manner to receive the roots when they are discharged from the rear of the belts of the conveyor devices.

Connected at their forward ends to the axle 18 and extending rearwardly a substantial distance beyond the chutes are two pairs of supporting arms. The arms of one pair are indicated at 54, 55. and the arms of the other pair at 56, 57. The arms of each pair are spaced a substantial distance with respect to each other. and a chute 53 is arranged directly over the spaces between the pair of arms. The pairs of arms are positioned in proximity to the lower ends of the chutes 53. Adjustably connected with the arms of each pair is a hollow furrow opener or shoe 58. The major part of the body portion of the furrow opener 58 gradually increases in size in an upward direction,V and extending into the furrow opener 58 at the top thereof are two pairs of hangers 59, which have the upper portions thereof formed with a series of spaced slots 60 for the. passage of hold fast devices to adjustably connect the furrow opener 58 to a pair of arms. The pair of arms with which a furrow opener 58 is associated are apertured for the passage of the hold-fast devices 60. The two pair of hangers which associate with a furrow openerare iixedly secured therewith by the hold-fast devices 61. 1 The lower end of each furrow opener' is open and the rear part thereof is positioned above the forward part as indicated at 62. The roots are conducted by the chute 53 in the manner to fall into the top of the furrow opener 58 and the roots are discharged from the lower open end of the furrow opener. The furrow openers 58 are connected to the pair of arnis in a manner whereby the gear hangers of the pairs of hangers can be disconnected from the pairs of arms, and the furrow openers 58 drawn upwardly on the hold fast devices cmpioyed to connect the forward hangers to the pairs of arms. `Each pair of arms at thc rear thereof are connected together by a brace member 62 to which is attached a seat post 68 provided at its upper end with a seat 64, and said post 63 has connected therewith a forwardly extending apertured plate 65 which carries the seat. The seat can be vmoved forward and backward to the most comfortable location for the operator. A hook bar 66, is connected at its lower ends with the rear hangers of the furrow member 58. illhen turning at the ends of the rows or moving` the planter the bar 66 is hooked over bar 5 which raises and holds the furrow openers or shoes above the ground and allows free moving of the machine.

Connected to each pair of rearwardly exf tending arms, is an adjustable supporting wheel carrier and which consists of an axle 67, carried by a pair of spaced upwardly extending and forwardly projecting curved arms 68 having the forward ends thereof enlarged as at 69, and slotted as at 70. Hold fast devices 71 extend through the slots 70 yof each pair of curved arms and engage with a pair of rearwardly extending` arms whereby the curved arms 68 are secured to the rearwardly extending arms. The arms 68 are also connected to the rearwardly extendingI arms by the hold-fast devices 52. The slotted forward ends 69 of the curved arm 68, in connection with the hold-fastdevices 71, provide means for adjustably positioning the rear ends of the curved arms 68. Mounted on the axle 67 is a supporting wheel 7 3. Secured to the outer face or side of each of the arms of said pairs of rearwardly extending arms is a depending hanger member 74, carrying a covering' wheel or member 75. rlhe wheels 75 which are connected with each pair of rearwardly extending arms are disposed at an inclination and extend iu opposite directions with respect to each other.

The slots 70 and hold-fast devices 7l are used only to adjust the position of the back wheel which regulates the depth of the fur row opener. The only pivot action of the rearwardly extending arms 54. 56 and 57 is at the axle 18 and is connected there b v a bearing member.

Mounted upon the tongue 20. forwardly with respect to the platform or carrier, is a support 76 having secured therewith upstanding brackets 77, to which is attached. a seat 78. The support 76, brackets 77 and seat 78 provide a bench forwardly of the platform or carrier. y i

lVhen the planter is used, two men are employed for each conveyor device for positioning the roots in the pocket of the belt of the conveying device. As the planterI is illustrated with two conveying devices, provision is made for the seating of four men, two at the front of the platform and two at the rear thereof. While the planter is propelled, by any suitable means, or rather pulled forwardly by any suitable means, the conveyor devices are ope-rated from one of the traction wheels 23 and during' the operation of the conveyor devices the roots are placed in the pockets of the belt thereof, and the roots conveyed and is discharged into the chutes 53, and from the chutes are deposited in the furrow openers 58. As the planter moves forwardly the furrow openers operate and the roots are deposited into the furrows. After the roots are deposited the covering' wheels act to cover the roots.

The rear wheels 73 not only carry the two men seated back of the platform but also press the dirt firmly about the roots. The Vopen wheel presses the sides of the furrows and Vnot the top so no halting of the soil occurs. Slots 7() and hold fast devices 7l are so arranged that the rear wheels can be raised or lowered thus securing the amount of pressure desired over the roots. The furrow covering wheels are adjustable as to depth and angle with each other. Also the rearward arms have an adjustment at the axle to the end that proper depth, cover and pressure maybe secured in all classes of soils.

It is though that the many advantages of a planter, in accordance with this invention,

can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim is:

A planter comprising a'portable supporting` structure, a sectional platform mounted on the top thereof, a manually supplied conveyor device yoperatingbetween the4 sections of and extendingr from a point removed from the front of to a point removed from the rear of the platform for conveying` the material to be planted, said device operating in a rearward direction. operating,Y means for said device carried by and driven from said structure when the latter is propelled, a conducting' chute suspended from the platform below and at the rear end of said device for receiving1 the material to be :planted from the latter, a furrow opener suspended from said structure at the rear thereof and below said chute for receivi n g' the `material to be planted from the latter, a seat positioned on .said structure rearwardly of said platform, a seat positioned ou said structure forwardly of said platform, said platform projecting laterally from each side of saidV structure, and means secured to the upper face of each of the projecting portions of the platform to provide a bin adjacent to and spaced from cach side of said device and with eachl of said bins open at the inner side thereof.'

Aln testimony whereof, I affix my signa-- ture hereto.

JOHN M. sTEwAR'n. 

